Date of NCS appointment vs date of ILR

[Leaver]

I tried searching the forum for an answer, but the unfortunate set of words results in too many irrelevant threads.

I received my ILR on 26 Feb 2015 (the ILR card has this date actually) so I plan to apply for naturalistion asap on 26 Feb 2016, exactly 12 months later. The reason im doing it tight is travel arrangements on 12 March, abroad. I understand you need to be in the UK when they send you the acknowledgment letter?

1. Will this time of 14 days be enough based on experience to not risk being abroad then they send this?
2. If I have my NCS appointment on 26 Feb, is this understood as my date of application? Or is it the date I put on my forms? or the date when it reaches the HO?

thanks!

[zahmed05]

so I plan to apply for naturalistion asap on 26 Feb 2016, exactly 12 months later

You will be fine as long as you was in country on 26th Feb 2011. I assume you are not BC spouse. If your partner is BC then you can use three year period and need to be here on 26th Feb 2013.

I understand you need to be in the UK when they send you the acknowledgment letter?

You need to be in UK when they receive your application. Once they have received it then you are free to travel.

1. Will this time of 14 days be enough based on experience to not risk being abroad then they send this?

You will need to give biometirc. On average it's taking around 2-3 weeks to get letter so this may not arrive before 12th but you can give biometric on your return. Just make sure you are not away for more than 25 working days as this is the max you will get from the day your payment is taken.

date of NCS appointment is date of application.

[Leaver]

[/quote] Date of NCS appointment is date of application.[/quote]

thanks for the reply. Is this now 100% certain, that date of NCS appointment is date of application and I don't need to wait for a letter from the HO? This letter was previously considered as date of application. The section 6 of General Notes still doesn't include NCS as a "relevant body accepting the application" in the definition for "date of application"?

thanks

[zahmed05]

This is 100% confirmed. Date is application is certainly the date you submit your application with NCS.

As you are travelling after two weeks, you will be fine.

You can request any of your friend or family member to keep an eye on the post in case HO requests any additional document.

Regards,
Zeeshan

[Casa]

This is 100% confirmed. Date is application is certainly the date you submit your application with NCS.

As you are travelling after two weeks, you will be fine.

You can request any of your friend or family member to keep an eye on the post in case HO requests any additional document.

Regards,
Zeeshan

zahmed05 is correct. The rules regarding the date of application changed recently and it is now taken as the date submitted with the NCS.

[CR001]

I understand you need to be in the UK when they send you the acknowledgment letter?

You need to be in UK when they receive your application. Once they have received it then you are free to travel.

This is incorrect. There is no requirement to be in the UK when HO receives the application. This requirement was done away with a couple of years ago.

You are free to travel on the same day as your NCS appointment if you choose.

[Leaver]

I understand you need to be in the UK when they send you the acknowledgment letter?

You need to be in UK when they receive your application. Once they have received it then you are free to travel.

This is incorrect. There is no requirement to be in the UK when HO receives the application. This requirement was done away with a couple of years ago.

You are free to travel on the same day as your NCS appointment if you choose.

thanks a lot for confirming, this make things a lot easier!